Cyclonic circulation to bring heavy rain, water levels rising; people living in low-lying areas asked to move to safer locations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A cyclonic circulation has formed over the Bay of Bengal near the Tamil Nadu coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that this system could bring very heavy rainfall to Kerala over the next five days.

In the next three hours, isolated places in Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts are likely to receive thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds reaching speeds of up to 40 kmph. Similar weather is also expected in Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad districts, with moderate rain and gusty winds.

For today, the IMD has issued an Orange Alert for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, and Thrissur districts, and a Yellow Alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts.

Meanwhile, the Central Water Commission has issued a Yellow Alert for certain rivers as water levels are rising dangerously. The alerts are for:

Idukki: Thodupuzha (Manakkad station)

Ernakulam: Muvattupuzha (Kakkadassery, Thodupuzha stations)

Pathanamthitta: Achankovil (Kalleli, Konni GD station)

Authorities have advised the public to avoid entering or crossing rivers under any circumstances. People living in low-lying and coastal areas are urged to remain vigilant and follow official instructions, including moving to safer locations if necessary.